IRON AGE MINIATURE OBJECT

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A miniature copper alloy socketed axe, dating from the Late Iron Age or Roman period, and probably used as a votive offering. The axe is of a type which resembles the Bronze Age axe that were later copied in the Roman period. There is a raised rim with a transverse groove running around the socketed end of the axe. There was a loop of metal depending from one side of the axe, but this has broken off and is missing. The cutting edge flares but is damaged. The axe has a light green patina. It is 33mm long, 15.7mm wide and 7.7mm thick. It weighs 5.73gm. Some similar miniature axes were found in Wiltshire and have been published by Robinson (Robinson, Paul Miniature Socketed Bronze Axes from Wiltshire pages: 63). Other similar examples are WILT-393545 and YORYM-7DA2C1